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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Locustellidae
  4. ›
  5. Cincloramphus
  6. ›
  7. Rufous Songlark
Rufous Songlark
Photo · (c) ian_mcallan, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Rufous Songlark

Cincloramphus mathewsiIredale, 1911

Updated 11 June 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PASSERIFORMES
Family
Locustellidae
Genus
Cincloramphus

At a glance

The Rufous Songlark is a medium-sized bird, about 19–21 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
19–21 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Voice
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Rufous Songlark look like?

The Rufous Songlark is a medium-sized bird, about 19–21 cm long and weighing 19–44 g.

The rufous songlark is a species in the family Locustellidae endemic to Australia.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
19–21 cm
Weight
18.9–44 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Rufous Songlark?

The Rufous Songlark is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

04 · Voice

What it sounds like

Call

graeme lunt · Rural City of Wangaratta VIC, Australia

Call

jaimshae · Trundle NSW 2875, Australia

Call

graeme lunt · Rural City of Wangaratta VIC, Australia

Call

jimchurches · Recycling Cct, MacNamara, ACT, AU

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Rufous Songlark eat?

The Rufous Songlark feeds on terrestrial invertebrates, usually foraging in pairs or alone.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Rufous Songlark live in Australia?

The Rufous Songlark is endemic to Australia, recorded across 81 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingAustralia (except far north and Tasmania), breeding mostly in south

Non-breedingTo central Australia

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Breeding

7 regions recorded